First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist 
Preparation for these two sacraments is offered in conjunction with our Faith Formation program. If a child attends a Catholic school or utilizes a Catholic homeschool program, this may be used in place of attending weekly Faith Formation classes.

Prior to receiving the sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist for the first time, it is required within the Roman Rite that the child have reached the age of reason. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “This, as a rule, happens at the age of seven, or thereabouts, though the use of reason requisite for moral discernment may come before, or may be delayed until notably after, that time. At this age Christians come under the operation of ecclesiastical laws, such as the precept of assistance at Mass on Sundays and holydays, abstinence from meat on certain days, and annual confessions, should they have incurred mortal sin.”
 
For this reason, it is expected that First Communicants should be able to recite their basic Catholic prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. They should be able to make the Sign of the Cross, and perform some form of Act of Contrition prior to their First Confession. Prior to receiving their First Holy Communion, they should be able to give a basic explanation of the Real Presence and Transubstantiation.   Register Here


Confirmation
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation begins at Baptism through the commitment of parents and godparents to raise the child in the Catholic faith. The parents raise the child to know and love Our Blessed Lord and His Church through childhood, and the parish endeavors to support them through the sacraments and catechesis. 

The USCCB set the normal age in the United States for confirmation “between the age of discretion and sixteen within the limits determined by the diocesan bishop.” At the current time, the Diocese of Savannah follows the limits set by Bp. Parkes of conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation normally at 13 years of age.
 
All Candidates for Confirmation will need to select a sponsor. This should be:  

1. Someone 16 years of age or older who,  

2. is Baptized, Confirmed in the Catholic Church, and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken  

3. not bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; (i.e. in a non-sacramental marriage following divorce),  

4. not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed  

Candidates for confirmation are encouraged to utilize the diocesan Knowledge of the Faith Assessment to prepair their minds with the basic knowledge they should have as young Catholics. Additionally, they should have an intimate knowledge of the patron saint under whose name they will be confirmed. To underline the relationship of Confirmation with Baptism, the candidate is encouraged to retain the name given to him/her  in baptism, rather than taking a new name.    Register Here

Once registered for the sacrament, check your email regularly. There will be a mandatory orientation meeting early in the school year where you will receive an information packet that covers all details of what to expect. Parents/guardians of ALL sacramental prep children, regardless of format (Faith Formation, Catholic School, or Homeschool) are expected to attend. Regular updates will also be sent out via email as the Sacrament dates approach. Please contact the Director of Faith Formation for more information at [email protected] .  


RCIC
Rite of Christian Initiation for children: This program is designed for students in the 3rd grade through 10th grade who did not receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation at the age and grade level normally administered. It is carried out on an as need basis privately. Contact Fr. Jacob Almeter at 706.722.4944 for further information.